Thanks to “Vallarta Voice,” local author Pat Henry called to tell me, she has been reunited with a long-lost friend.

Around 7:15 pm on February 20, just as she was about to take the podium at the Westin Regina Hotel before a crowd of 400 gathered for a slide presentation of her eight-year round-the-world solo sailing adventure, Claudia Shiuh was perusing “Voice’s” calendar of events. “Frank,” she shouted to her husband in the next room, “do you think this Pat Henry who wrote a book called “By the Grace of the Sea” could be the same Pat Henry I used to know?” The couple rushed to the event to find out.

Turns out the two friends hadn’t seen one another since Pat was on the board of the Cabrillo Music Festival in Santa Cruz 15 years ago, Claudia “an incredible violinist.” The next day the pair did its best to catch up. Ironically, while Pat has lived in Puerto Vallarta not quite six years, for the past five Claudia has spent her holidays here. And if not for “Voice,” chances are they would still be “ships passing in the night.”

But not all surprises are welcomed. Attending the weekly writer’s group meeting last Saturday on Isla Rio Cuale, I was struck by how few cats I saw – three, in fact. Just the week before I’d commented aloud that there were so many cats on the island I was worried something was going to happen to them. Well, guess what? But I never suspected how dramatic the “solution” to their overpopulation would be. From 80 or so gorgeous felines – many neutered and spayed– they have been culled to no more than half a dozen.

It’s distressing. And more so because things are finally looking up regarding animal welfare, with two new shelters being readied – albeit temporary ones. A particularly insightful American friend suggests, however, that that may be part of the problem. “Have you noticed that more cats and dogs are being ‘eliminated’ since pressure has intensified on the municipal government to honor its commitment to actually build the shelter it promised? Think about it. If there are no animals, why do you need a shelter, which costs money? Besides, they probably believe they’re doing the animals a favor. While we want to ‘protect’ them by putting them into cages, Mexicans see that as cruelty and prefer to see them have short, happy lives rather than lose their freedom.”

I asked Ron Walker, head of the local ecology group, how to make sense of all this. “The way I see it, it’s not about how either the Americans or the Mexicans view what’s best for the animals. It’s about how to keep nature in balance.” It is true that the colorful iguanas and the birds once common to the island have pretty much disappeared since the cats took over, but these sure are hard choices that are being made.

Yet one would think that when it comes to choosing between war and peace, the choice would be clear. But again, obviously it just isn’t so. As in most places around the globe, those whose consciences demanded they take a stand against a US-led war in Iraq marched here – on Valentine’s Day, appropriately enough. What better to do on what Mexicans call the Day of Friendship and Love than honor what your heart tells you?

Perhaps because there was little notice of the event – its only mention in the English press a couple of lines in “Vallarta Today” – there were just three gringos in the crowd of 120 or so peace marchers. From babes in strollers to the elderly with canes, this group of Vallartenses walked as one along the Malecon, and then held an emotional rally at Los Arcos Amphitheater.

Meanwhile, with lots of other things one could be doing – like attending a cocktail party – some might say this was a waste of time that created barely a ripple. But I’m not among them.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about what you’re reading, you’re encouraged to let me know at heather@mexmags.com.